"Up helm," commanded the captain, "give her the jibs."
The great sails mounted their stays, the "Beauty's" head played off, and, careening over 'till her lee rail touched the water, she surged through the waters like a thing alive.
The chums watched the foam sweep past in transports of delight.
"My, but she's fast," Walter cried.
"Aye, lad," the captain agreed, joyfully. "I ain't never seen a faster, except maybe Black Sam's schooner. We'll have to shorten sail in an hour if we don't want to run away from the rest of the fleet."
The boys watched with delight as the Beauty overhauled and passed schooner after schooner.
As she surged past a large black-hulled vessel with three diving boats in tow, a man on the stranger's deck waved his cap and shouted,
"Good luck to you. Better keep with the fleet."
"That's Mr. Williams," Charley exclaimed. "I am glad that we are going to be near somebody we know."
"Yes, it is Mr. Williams," affirmed Manuel, who was standing near. "But here is my little boy to say that your breakfast is ready."